Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama could only laugh off criticism levelled against him by the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK) in full-page ads published in local dailies yesterday.
The BO-PK open letter addressed to Interior and Local Governments Secretary Mar Roxas, head of the Liberal Party (LP), claimed that Rama’s administration resulted in Cebu City losing its status as one of Asia’s top 10 best cities.
The BO-PK also lauded its founder, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district, for establishing Cebu City’s position as one of Asia’s top 10 cities despite its devastation by typhoon Ruping in 1990.
Osmeña, who will run for mayor anew against Rama, was chosen by LP as its standard bearer for Cebu City.
The mayor recently switched to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) following the LP’s selection of Osmeña.
On reading the BO-PK letter, Rama said he was “amused” by the breadth of the party’s accusations against him” and called their tirades “pathetic.”
“They blame me for everything that’s wrong with the city and I’m barely in my second year in office,” the mayor said.
Rama said the BO-PK asked so much from the LP while he, an LP member, only asked for the party’s endorsement.
The mayor also mentioned the developments during his term such as the recently developed Senior Citizens’ Park across Cebu City Hall and the beautified sidewalks from the Capitol to Osmeña Boulevard.
He also cited the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) which he said had improved despite attempts by Osmeña to close it down due to inadequate facilities and mismanagement.
Rama said he may consider making his own open letter to counter the BO-PK’s claims. Correspondent Tweeny M. Malinao